Stories for April 2016

Fairfax Station: Fourth annual Fragile X walk raises $55,000 for molecular bank for research

Jimi Grande of Fairfax Station may never get to teach his ten-year-old son Jimmo to throw a baseball. Jimmo was born with effects from an inherited genetic mutation called Fragile X that can cause moderate to severe mental impairment and learning disabilities, and is linked to autism spectrum disorder.

Great Falls Girl Wins Miss Teen Virginia

Elisabetta Cantatore, 19, beats out 700 applicants; will compete in nationals.

Elisabetta Cantatore, 19, of Great Falls was named Miss Teen Virginia on Sunday, April 3 in Richmond, beating out 700 teen applicants from across the Commonwealth of Virginia, and 122 girls at the pageant itself.

Great Falls: Spring Fashion Show for Scholarships

Event is fundraiser for Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Club.

More than 200 people attended the 2016 Spring Fashion Show on Sunday, April 24 at Bloomingdale's Tysons Corner Center in McLean as a fundraiser for the Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Scholarship Fund.

Great Falls Boy Scout Troop 55 Leader Recognized as a Rising Star

Jeff Ye, community service coordinator for Boy Scout Troop 55, was selected and recognized as the “Rising Star” at the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards on April 8.

Photo Exhibit Celebrates National Parks, Great Falls

“So Many Parks – So Little Time - Celebrating our National Parks’ Centennial” an exhibit of photography capturing iconic as well as unusual scenes from our National Parks throughout the U.S.

Great Falls: What's Coming?

In the pipeline for Great Falls …

Several times a year, the Connection will map coming land use issues; to let us know about projects we’re missing, email kmoore@connectionnewspapers.com

Great Falls: Farmers Market Returns Saturday

Great Falls Farmers Market to celebrate 10th anniversary with “farmers market basket.”

The years have passed in quiet footsteps of vendors and local neighbors coming and going, loving and appreciating, doing finest work and choosing only the finest for our loving families’ nourishment and refinement.

Great Falls: Betty Nalls Swartz Honored at Tibbetts Award Banquet

Former award winners, Great Falls Historical Society (GFHS) board and members and many friends of Betty Swartz gathered last Thursday to participate in celebrating Betty's many contributions.

Bear-ing Witness on What Makes Great Falls Great

Lions and tigers, maybe not. But bears we got.

Yes, Virginia, there are bears in Great Falls.

Pen & Palette Illustrates Artistic Community Collaboration

On Thursday, May 5, the Great Falls Writers Group (GFWG), along with artists from the Great Falls Studios, combine creative energy to host a public event at the Great Falls Library to recognize the community’s volume of artistic talent.

Celebrating Spring with Arts in Great Falls

Art Walk in the Village: First Fridays will kick off on Friday, May 6, 2016 in the Village Center in Great Falls.

State of the County Presented Over Breakfast

Leadership Fairfax hosts 25th Annual Board of Supervisors State of the County Breakfast and presents Hanley Award to Bill Bouie for Public Service.

With the number and types of commitments made on their daily schedules, it takes a special occasion to gather the entire roster of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in one place at one time outside the walls of their meeting chambers.

Preparing for Summer Camp Away

Many emotions arise when a child leaves for camp.

A child’s first residential summer camp experience can be fraught with emotions that run the gamut from excitement to terror.

Academic Camps Combine Education and Fun

Local camps help students maintain school skills in a relaxed environment.

One summer Ana Lado created a summer camp activity for students at her neighborhood pool. The Marymount professor set up a picnic area, and included activities and books. Her plan was to engage the students and give them the opportunity to read and build reading skills while still enjoying fun activities traditionally associated with summer.

From Colonial History to Future Entrepreneurs

Campers can explore diverse interests in specialty summer camps.

This summer dozens of elementary school-aged children will travel back in time to the Colonial Era where, among other things, they’ll learn to spin cotton into cloth for garments.

Editorial: More Voters Might Not Mean Much More Voting

Governor’s action brings Virginia in line with 39 other states.

Last week, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) restored the voting and civil rights of more than 200,000 Virginians who were convicted of felonies, served their time and completed any supervised release, parole or probation requirements.

Responding to Teen Sex Trafficking

Comprehensive approach seeks to educate teens.

In 2012 Fairfax County Detective William Woolf discovered a 16-year-old girl being prostituted by the M-16 gang. At the time there was little recognition that the problem existed locally. The girl was recovered and since then Woolf has interviewed 300 recovered victims, some as young as 12-years old. After the initial shock, Northern Virginia businesses, faith communities and educational groups sought to understand the extent of the problem.

Fairfax County: Chief Investigating Cyberbullying of Dead Female Firefighter

Search for Nicole Mittendorff called off after police “preliminarily identify” female remains, find suicide note found in her abandoned vehicle.

The search for Nicole Mittendorff, a paramedic-firefighter based at Fire Station 32 in Fairfax Station, has been suspended, a release from Virginia State Police said on Thursday, April 21.

Weekend Fun

Weekend fun.

Removing a Barrier to Pomp and Circumstance

Gowns for Grads program at George Mason provides regalia for needy graduates.

When Muntaha Choudhary walks across the stage during George Mason University’s graduation ceremony this May she will celebrate not only her bachelor’s degree, which has been eight years in the making, but also the fact that she is the first person in her family to graduate from college.

Fairfax County: Supervisors Approve 4-Cent Tax Rate Increase

The gap between the Fairfax County School Board and total county budgets is a formality away from being the smallest since before Jan. 7 when FCPS Superintendent Dr. Karen Garza announced she wouldn’t be making any additional cuts in her $2.67 billion Fiscal Year 2017 budget.

Letter: Selfishness, Not Altruism, Behind Tax Increases

To the Editor

The Board of Supervisors and School Board should give the approximately 12,000 classroom teachers salary increases, but give no raises to other school and county employees.

Editorial: On the Guilty Plea of Adam Torres

Geer’s death exposed “obfuscation … and a lack of public accountability.”

Adam Torres, charged with murder in the death of Springfield resident John Geer, was the first Fairfax County Police officer in the history of the department to be charged in such a death.

Fairfax County: Torres Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter of John Geer

Former Police officer faced murder charges for 2013 shooting

It was over before it began. Neither prosecution nor defense gave opening statements in former Fairfax County Police Officer Adam Torres’ trial for the August 2013 murder of Springfield resident John Geer. Instead on Monday, April 18, Torres pleaded guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter for the August 2013 incident.

Great Falls: Stormwater Task Force Holds Town Hall Meeting

On April 12, the Great Falls Citizens Association’s (GFCA) newly formed Stormwater Task Force (SWTF) sponsored a Town Hall meeting at the Great Falls Library, which attracted 60 residents and ran from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

Great Falls Native Earns His Wings

U.S. Navy Ensign Trevor James Shafran, a 2014 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, recently earned his “Naval Aviator Wings” after successfully completing two years of primary flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola and specialized helicopter flight training at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Fla.

Great Falls: Students Honored at Poetry Luncheon

GFFN recognizes Great Falls Elementary students in 34th annual contest.

The 2016 Poetry Luncheon honoring the winners of the 34th annual Great Falls Elementary School Poetry Contest was held Thursday, April 14 at River Bend Golf and Country Club in Great Falls.

Letter: Stormwater Management Engages Community

To the Editor

The Great Falls Citizens Association would like to thank all those that came to the to the Stormwater Management meeting held on April 12 at the library.

Letter: Dealing with Stormwater, Personal Experience

To the Editor

I recently participated in a Great Falls Citizen Association (GFCA) Town Hall Meeting and spoke, as a panel participant, to my personal experience living in Great Falls and dealing with Stormwater.

Great Falls: Women Juggle Work, Families, Education

Great Falls Friends and Neighbors committed to assisting working women pursuing higher education.

George Mason’s Libby Dissauer understands students who juggle raising a family while pursuing an education, who have to decide whether to pay rent, buy food, get gas or pay tuition.

Great Falls: Eyesore Improves, Bank Coming

Construction on TD Bank scheduled for Fall; opening of two-lane drive-thru bank anticipated for February.

The community called the site of the old Exxon Station, with environmental cleanup underway, an “eyesore.”

Great Falls Methodist Church to Host Yard Sale

Looking for a great place to shop for bargains? Need a place to sell your treasures? Get ready for the Great Falls Methodist Church Annual Yard Sale.

Great Falls Studios Presents ‘Small Gems’

There is a new show in town: Great Falls Studios presents “Small Gems” at Arts of Great Falls School and Gallery, Village Green Center, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls.

Love for Cooking Brought to Great Falls

Profile: Mookie’s BBQ new on restaurant scene.

When Mookie’s BBQ opened in Great Falls recently, barbecue fans must have gone wild. Really wild, for Northern Virginia does not boast many smoky, barbecue restaurants.

Historic Garden Week in Virginia

Elegant homes and gardens in Old Town, Arlington and Falls Church will be open to the public.

Some of the most spectacular gardens will be in bloom and on display during the 83rd annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia.

Modular Homes Come of Age

What's behind the growing popularity of modular homes? Recent research shows that a house comprised of architecturally-specific, pre-constructed modules can be assembled on a homeowner’s lot for 10-15 percent less than of the cost of a comparably-sized “stick-built” house.

Great Falls Home Sales: March, 2016

In March, 2016, 17 Great Falls homes sold between $3,050,000-$529,000.

Great Falls Home Sales: March, 2016

Fairfax County Police Hold Assessment Public Hearing

As part of an on-site assessment by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., Fairfax County Police held a public forum on April 11 at the Fairfax County Government Center.

Fairfax County: 24th annual Service Awards recognizes community champions, hundreds of volunteers

Kathy Hertz, a longtime volunteer in Clifton, spent more than a week in Lesvos, Greece just after Christmas with her cousin. The two of them volunteered in and around a refugee camp for individuals being funnelled to Athens and hopefully back to Germany or other European havens.

Great Falls: Langley’s Shafer Excels at Nova Challenge

Madison’s Ungerleider, Walker compete for Fairfax North.

Langley's Nate Shafter finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks during the Nova Challenge.

1st Stage’s Presents “Proof

A disarming production

In a satisfying character driven play about the fragility of the mind, rich with intriguing dialogue about genius and fears of mental illness, 1st Stage has created a disarming production of “Proof.”

Becoming Aware of Child Sex Trafficking

The problem extends throughout northern Virginia.

She stands on the sidewalk outside the mall with her backpack full of 7th grade science and math books. An older man pulls up and she gets in the backseat of his car.

Classified Advertising April 13, 2016

Read the latest ads here!

Letter: Firearms at the Convention?

A Change.org Petition caught national attention recently because it sought to openly carry firearms at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

Great Falls Teen Crowned Miss Teen Virginia

On Sunday April 3, girls from all over the state made their way to Richmond to represent their communities in this year's Miss Teen Virginia pageant.

Great Falls: Chez Francois Celebrates 40 Years

Celebrity Chef Jacques Haeringer deepens restaurant's roots.

One of Jacques biggest changes is the creation of two huge gardens on the back part of the property. At the height of the summer, the gardens can supply the restaurant with all the produce it needs.

Colorful Spring Birds at Great Falls

How to get out and enjoy spring beauties.

The wooded areas in both of the two national parks at the Great Falls of the Potomac provide ample and often easy opportunities to see and enjoy the colorful plumage and exuberant songs of the returning Spring migrant birds.

Great Falls: Celebrating Reading, Writing and Winning

Award-winning author/illustrator Henry Cole to be guest speaker at Youth Writers Gala.

Reading is imperative for becoming a good writer, so community groups are collaborating to celebrate reading, writing and winners.

Great Falls: Bluebells at the Bend Festival

Bluebells are in bloom.

Inaugural Living Well Summit Piques Interest of County Seniors

Summit helps county residents improve with age.

Local residents can learn how to age gracefully Saturday, April 16, at the Living Well, Aging Well Summit in the Fairfax County Government Center.

Help Wanted: Mature Workforce at Employment Expo in Tysons

Older adults in search of work can discuss job opportunities with various industry representatives Monday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the “50+ Employment Expo” in the Sheraton Tysons Hotel.

Progress Made, Challenges Remain on Ending Homelessness

HomeAid NoVA hosts ‘Keep the Homeless Housed’ Forum.

In 2008, Fairfax County partnered with the City of Falls Church to adopt an ambitious strategic plan to address the issue of homelessness in the region.

Finding Fun in Science

Area youth turn out for Project BEST Science and Technology Fun.

What could possibly have lured some 100 and more middle school youngsters back to a school building on a Saturday, especially if that school isn’t theirs and they had to get up extra early just to get there?

Editorial: Award-Winning Connection Newspapers

Still striving to be the Connection to your community.

Connection Newspapers won dozens of awards from the Virginia Press Association for work done in 2015.

Speaker Series

Senior Services of Alexandria will present Aging Well, Working Together for a Livable Community for all Ages, next in a speaker series, on Wednesday, April 13, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria.

Luxury Condos are a Growth Market for Seniors

Active retirees seek options for independent living, including condos in Alexandria, Arlington, Tysons, Reston, McLean, Bethesda and Chevy Chase, among others.

When Joyce and Don Lipman decided to move out of their Potomac, Md. home, they opted for a high-end townhouse instead of a retirement community.

Taking the Long View

Budgeted, incremental improvements are the key to effective planning, aging in place.

When they decided not to move-on after retirement, seniors Mike and Sandy Nusbaum slowly began enlarging their long-term residence with several goals in mind.

Golden Notes

Living well at any age.

‘Shark Tank’ for Seniors

High school students design and present tech products to improve lives of older adults.

Chantilly High School freshman Aru Rajpurohit remembers seeing her great-grandfather struggle to drink his morning tea and other beverages, his hands shaking from Parkinson’s disease.

Letter: Help Prevent Child Abuse

If you see a blue pinwheel dotting the landscape in April, we hope you will pause and think about what it represents--National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Letter: Limiting Health Care Choices

To the Editor

Recently it was announced that Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna are planning to merge, which would severely limit the choices residents of the Commonwealth have when picking their healthcare provider.

Sanderson Honored for 25 Years of Civic Service in the Arts

Douglas J. Sanderson, a principal in the law firm of McCandlish & Lillard, P.C., was honored at the 2016 Fairfax County Federation of Citizens' annual awards banquet with a Citation of Merit recognizing his 25 years of “pro-bono legal service

McLean and Great Falls: Langley to Present ‘Chicago’

McLean’s Jamie Goodson has performed on a lot of stages.

McLean and Great Falls: Cooper Middle Students Learn Coding

As the use of technology rises across the globe, so does the use for computer programming. However, as evidenced by the lack of young programmers, this fundamental skill is not being taught to the people who need it the most: students.

Week in Great Falls

Farmers' Market starts outside

Great Falls Sailor Assumes Command of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 75

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 "Wolf Pack" held its change of command ceremony March 18, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego in front of distinguished guests and family members.

Letter: Required Reading

To the Editor

Tom Grubisich's account of the origins of Reston (“How You get from Carnegie Hall to Reston,” Connection, March 30-April 5, 2016) was a wonderfully written, lively piece of work that should be required reading for anyone hoping to enter journalism.

Letter: Inappropriate Use of FEMA Relief Funds

To the Editor

Your recent article "Fairfax County Schools to Apply for FEMA Relief Funds" is another example of attempting to exploit the American taxpayers.

Great Falls: Local Children Meet Dairy Farming Past

Betty Nalls Swartz explains cow-milking to Forestville first graders.

Betty Swartz and Greg Haymans visited the Forestville Elementary School’s kindergarten last Wednesday, and first grade last Thursday to share how Great Falls used to be the most productive dairy farming community in Fairfax County.

Send in Mother's Day Photos to the Connection

Mother’s Day is May 8 this year and as usual every year at this time, this newspaper calls for submissions to our Mother’s Day photo gallery.

Editorial: Move Forward with Independent Oversight

While FCPD has embraced many critical changes, supervisors need to move forward with oversight.

Last week, the Fairfax County Police Department posted a list and progress report of 202 recommendations made by the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, each currently labeled as one of: implemented, in progress or under review.

First Responders Honored at 38th Annual Valor Awards

‘Ready for All Emergencies’

Technician Ryland Chapman and Lieutenant Lawrence Mullin with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were preparing to return home from a deployment with Virginia Task Force 1 to earthquake-rocked Kathmandu, Nepal when another quake sent them back out for duty.

Lawmakers Wrap-up Richmond Legislative Session

Unspent TANF grant money, prisoner rights among social issues discussed.

On average, low income families in Virginia who are eligible and sign up for funds from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant receive $269 monthly and are cut off after five years. But lawmakers say there’s a lot more unexpended money available in the federal grant that, if it remains unused, could one day be taken back.

McLean Pitcher Clines Strikes Out 10 in Win Over Langley

Grammes drives in winning run with walk-off single.

The McLean baseball team beat Langley on Friday.